Money management is a source of stress for millions of people. If your income has dropped, you must cope with this worry as well as the daily reminders--bills piling up, medical treatments, groceries, children's clothing, or transportation expenses. To get through these tough times, consider some of the following stress management strategies.
Identify Your Financial Stressors.
Write down some specific ways that you and your family can reduce expenses or manage your finances more efficiently. From this general written plan, create a monthly list of expenses that you feel reflects strategies that you are comfortable in following.
Now list your newly projected monthly income. Is there a gap between the total monthly expenses and total monthly income? What other income sources do you have available to you for use in the short term or long term? You also might look for a part-time job or use a hobby to make a supplemental income to assist you in meeting your obligations.
Making decisions in areas where you have control can help you feel more secure in these insecure economic times. Cutting back on leisure-time activity expenses and realigning some of your food expenses might be areas that you can gain a sense of control. Substitute home labor projects for purchased goods.
If you are having trouble paying bills, reach out for help by calling your bank, utilities or credit-card companies.
Performing this written exercise offers you a clearer picture of where things stand now, and just putting things in writing can help with your stress level.
Take One Day At A Time.
In difficult economic times, try to consider how the forced changes in your life can become growth opportunities. Some changes in our lives are permanent and over time they must be accepted if you are to move on. Always remember to take one day at a time, and set small goals that you can accomplish and in which you can take pride. Resolve one issue at a time. Think of ways that these economic challenges can help you develop healthier ways to deal with stress. The loss of a job or a loved one may result in your having more time on your hands, and so you dwell on your troubles. Yes, you may need to craft a job search strategy but spend some time doing personal things you may have postponed. Consider learning a new skill. Take a course or look into low-cost resources that can lead to a better job. Turn the negative situation into a positive outcome as you develop new ways to manage your life.
Develop An Action Plan.
When planning for your economic future, you may feel a sense of urgency to make quick decision, but you also want to make the best choices for long term success. Take time to consider what aspects of the situation you can control. Some of the stress will involve the family, so you should make certain that everyone involved understands his or her responsibilities and how they can lend a hand in helping relieve some of the daily hassles that may be adding to the tension. This is probably a good time to hone your time management skills. Use time efficiently when researching job opportunities or learning new skills, and try to set a daily action plan to begin taking one step forward each day as you consider your financial solutions. This may be a good time for you to talk with professional employment agencies to get a fresh look at your existing skill set and see how to reconfigure them to match different job opportunities.
When Worries Will Not Go Away.
When worries seem to be your constant focus, try to analyze these worries. Better yet, before you go to bed, write down a list of things that are worrying you, and consider them in the morning so that you will not dwell on them while you are trying to sleep. In the morning, take your list of worries and consider what existing problem is making that worry. List the reasons that the given problem is making you worry. As you review your list, consider whether you have control over these problems. If you believe that some problems are controllable, identify the strategies that you know and then determine how to use them to bring this control over the problem. To discuss the problems and worries that you feel just will not go away, consider seeking professional help. Resources such as your primary care physician, or mental health professionals, or clergy can help in dealing with your anxiety and emotional trauma. These people are available to help, and it is better to talk with these resources before your problems become too big to handle. You want to establish a positive action plan that helps you handle your fears, adjust to your present situation, and plan adequately for your future.
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